Sebastian Vettel has acknowledged that Mick Schumacher is facing a "difficult situation" in F1 as opportunities are scarce for his young countryman to return to the grid in 2024.
Schumacher currently serves as Mercedes' official reserve driver but a promotion to a race seat with the Brackley squad – barring any unforeseen circumstances – is unachievable for the 24-year-old as the team recently confirmed that it will continue to entrust its cars to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell until the end of 2025 at least.
Nevertheless, Schumacher still hopes to return to the fray in 2024 and fill one of a few seats that remain theoretically available for next season.
But Vettel is pessimistic over his protégé's chances of securing a drive for next season.
"The situation is difficult at the moment," Vettel told Sky Germany at the Nürburgring last weekend.
"There is perhaps still a single cockpit and at the moment it is not that easy or rather difficult to get in there and slide in. But there is always some possibility.
"I think it’s important that things continue in a certain way for him next year. That he continues to work on the second chance."
On paper, seats remain open at AlphaTauri, Williams and at Alfa Romeo/Sauber. But Daniel Ricciardo is expected to be confirmed at Red Bull's sister outfit while Logan Sargeant's chances of remaining with Williams are allegedly stronger that what has been reported and despite the American's current struggles.
It has been suggested that Sauber – which will race under its own name next season before Audi joins the grid in 2026 – is a plausible opportunity for Schumacher, given how commercially attractive his name would be for future owner Audi.
But perhaps more importantly, it is rumored that Zhou Guanyu, who has acquitted himself well in F1 since joining the Swiss outfit last season, will no longer be as lavishly supported next year as he was in the past by his Chinese benefactors.
Still, Zhou is likely to remain Sauber's first choice to partner Valtteri Bottas for a third season.
Vettel stated that Schumacher's presence in F1, while he wouldn't be the only German driver on the grid, with Nico Hulkenberg racing with Haas, is seen as "essential" for Germany.
"From a German perspective it’s essential," he said. "It’s not just the biggest young talent, but perhaps even the only one at the moment."
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